Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, Feb. 29 (Xinhua) -- A wildfire in Texas in the United States burned an area of more than 3,000 square kilometers on the 28th, becoming the second largest fire in Texas history. As of the same day, an 83-year-old woman was killed in the fire.
This is smoke taken near Huntsville, Walker County, Texas, U.S., on September 2, 2023. Xinhua News Agency (photo by Lao Chengyue) A number of wildfires have broken out in the area of northern Texas called the "Texas Panhandle" in recent days. According to the Associated Press 28**, the largest fire burned more than 1,300 square miles (about 3,370 square kilometers), surpassing the smallest state in the United States, Rhode Island, and extending to neighboring Oklahoma.
The fire department says only about 3% of wildfires are under control. "I think this fire will still spread until it is fully contained. Texas Emergency Management Agency Director Nim Kidd said.
The worst wildfire in Texas' history occurred in 2006, burning more than 1,400 square miles (3,625 square kilometers) and killing 13 people.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared 60 counties in the state in a state of disaster on the 27th. On the same day, several counties and towns issued evacuation orders for residents, and several highways were closed.
In the town of Fritsch, north of Amarillo, Mayor Tom Ray told The Associated Press that an estimated 40 to 50 homes in the town of 2,200 people had been burned. Hundreds of homes were lost in a fire in 2014.
Hemphill County Emergency Management Agency** Bill Kendall described the wildfire-burned area as "like the surface of the moon......Everything is gone". He said about 40 houses around Canadian's town had been destroyed, but there was no damage to the town's houses and the carcasses of hundreds of livestock were in the wild.
Julien Castillo, a resident of Canadian's Town, told Reuters that she and her family tried to flee the fire by car on the night of the 27th, but the smoke was too thick to see the road and was forced to return. "We were surrounded by fire and couldn't escape. She drove to the town's middle school and took refuge in the parking lot with many residents, "crying and praying and comforting each other."
The wildfire also threatened the Pantex nuclear ** plant near Amarillo City on the night of the 27th. This is the main U.S. nuclear ** assembly, dismantling and conversion plant. The factory was shut down for a time that day, personnel were evacuated, and a fire barrier was erected. On the morning of the 28th, the factory resumed work.
The cause of the wildfire** is unknown, but strong winds, drought and above-average temperatures have contributed to the fires.
The weather forecast shows that the local wind will become lighter, the temperature will be lower, and there may be rain on the 29th, which will help control the fire. However, starting on March 2, the weather will once again be unfavorable for extinguishing fires. Texas Emergency Management Agency Director Kidd said the weather, combined with the intensity and scope of the fire, made it a huge challenge to fight the fire. (Hui Xiaoshuang).